As a side animation project, we are using Maya, a 3D graphics and animation program provided to us by Autodesk, who is a sponsor of iGEM this year. We intended to create an animation visualizing what the process of inclusion body formation might look like. The basis of this animation can be found in literature (Roberts, 2007).

We believe this animation will help students in iGEM visualize and understand the process behind inclusion body formation. A dynamic visual catches people's attention and shows things as they happen, rather than showing static intermediate images on a diagram.

This is what we are showing:

1. A misfolded protein forms, exposing hydrophobic side chains. (0:00)
2. A nucleus of aggregation is formed by a collection of these misfolded proteins sticking together. (0:01)
3. More misfolded protein become attracted to the nucleus, attempting to "cover up" hydrophobic ends. (0:02 - 0:13)
4. Smaller clumps stick together into larger clumps. (0:14 - 0:23)
5. This process continues until a large inclusion body forms in the cell, large enough to be visible. (0:23 - 0:38)

References

Roberts, C.J. (2007). Non-Native Protein Aggregation Kinetics. Biotechnology and Bioengineering 98(5), 927-938.